DK News and Reviewshttps://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com
Video Game News and Reviews from Danny French and Kevin ColeTue, 29 Jul 2008 12:27:33 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngDK News and Reviewshttps://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com
News updatehttps://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/news-update/
https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/news-update/#commentsTue, 29 Jul 2008 12:26:53 +0000http://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/?p=370]]>So I’ve disappeared from the site, and I’m terribly sorry, but here’s some of the news we missed…

Animal Crossing: City Folk- coming to Wii, with the new Wii Speak, a community microphone (not a headset)

GTA to hit the DS

Last night, rumors had arisen about the cancellation of Ghostbusters, but Seirra entertainment came out said it wasn’t so no worries there.

Well That’s it for now homedawgies.

]]>https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/news-update/feed/2starfleetcommanderwhoops…https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/whoops/
https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/whoops/#respondSun, 06 Jul 2008 12:48:05 +0000http://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/?p=369]]>Hey guys, sorry I haven’t been updating much, I haven’t been the most attentive to the gaming scene lately. Anyway from today I’m gone until the 22nd, so it looks like I’ll miss E3 coverage this year. Sorry. I’ll be back in like 2 weeks or so.]]>https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/whoops/feed/0starfleetcommanderActivision and MTV are fighting…https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/activision-and-mtv-are-fighting/
https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/activision-and-mtv-are-fighting/#respondMon, 23 Jun 2008 19:14:50 +0000http://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/?p=368]]>for the license to create a Rock Band, or a Guitar Hero solely using BEATLES music!!! They’re talking with reps from the beatles now… Finally, a Rock Band/Guitar Hero where I can destroy the songs! If neither one comes out, I’m going to be very dissappointed.

]]>https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/activision-and-mtv-are-fighting/feed/0starfleetcommanderThis Week’s VC/Wiiware updatehttps://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/this-weeks-vcwiiware-update-3/
https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/this-weeks-vcwiiware-update-3/#respondMon, 16 Jun 2008 18:22:09 +0000http://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/?p=367]]>This week’s additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel will have players setting their sights on a wild variety of targets. From solid walls to wriggling fish to fierce samurai warriors, you’ll face plenty of fresh and unusual challenges as you master these distinctive games, each featuring an inventive twist on a proven formula. You’ll also notice the ongoing expansion of both WiiWare™ and Virtual Console™ offerings, bringing you the best of what’s new along with classic titles that hold fond memories.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

WiiWare

Block Breaker Deluxe™ (Gameloft, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Suggestive Themes, 800 Wii Points): Prepare for the frenzy of the coolest block-breaker game ever. Block Breaker Deluxe is a reinvention of the classic arcade brick-breaker game with a trendy graphical style, fun atmosphere and an exclusive multiplayer mode. Lively characters and amazing graphics provide distinctive settings of the jet-set nightlife, including a cool bar, dance club, casino and more. Special bricks, multiple bonuses, secret weapons, paddle size options and ball-speed variations make this fascinating game even more challenging. The Block Breaker Deluxe rage has arrived.

Cocoto Fishing Master (Neko Entertainment, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Welcome to the adventures of Cocoto, Fishing Master. Get ready for a completely new experience on Wii. Play the role of Cocoto and travel the world to find five millennial fish. Only they can stop the magic cauldron from overflowing with lava and prevent the world from being destroyed. Thanks to Cocoto Fishing Master for Wii, fishing has never been such fun. Use the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers like a real fishing rod to catch more than 30 different fish. Discover five enchanted lakes in five different worlds from Cocoto’s universe. Confront gigantic bosses to collect each fragment of the statuette that will allow you to wake the great god Geo from his slumber. Meet Cocoto’s friends, sell your fish to Baggy and buy new fishing equipment from Neuro’s shop.

Virtual Console

SAMURAI SHODOWN (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen-Animated Blood, Crude Humor, Violence, 900 Wii Points): This first entry in the extremely popular and revolutionary fighting-game series was released in 1993. Choose from 12 swordsmen with highly individualistic characteristics and fight furiously, ultimately confronting the evil Amakusa Shiro Tokisada. Each character wields his or her own specific weapon, but you must be careful not to lose it during the heat of battle. Some of the fighters also bring an animal companion into the fray, offering a unique aspect to the quick-paced action. Another significant feature of the game is the anger gauge, which indicates the level of anger felt by each of the combatants as they suffer repeated injuries. If the anger reaches its maximum level, the attacking ability of the character increases, leading to even more intense confrontations. Through it all, the refined camera system smoothly zooms in and out of the playing field, presenting the frenzy of the battle while showcasing the lively background (watch as the referee scores hits). Awaken the samurai spirit within and get ready for a new kind of fight.

]]>https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/explosmnet-does-mario/feed/0starfleetcommanderCyanide and Happiness, a daily webcomicMetal Slug Anthology Reviewhttps://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/31/metal-slug-anthology-review/
https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/31/metal-slug-anthology-review/#commentsSat, 31 May 2008 16:25:26 +0000http://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/?p=359]]>Hey everyone, I’m Josh60502. Not an official writer for DK News and Reviews, more like an occasional “guest reviewer”. I write for the blog Frayed Wire (I used to be from The Serious Nerd, but one look at that site will tell you that I’ve moved on). Kevin gave me a position on this site a long time ago, but now I’d like to finally put it to good use with my review of Metal Slug Anthology for the Nintendo Wii. Seeing as the original Metal Slug appeared on the Virtual Console last Monday, I think now would be a good time for such a review.

The Metal Slug games are quite simply, in my opinion, some of the best arcade games ever created. The gameplay is simple but difficult, creating that “one-more-go” feeling inside its players, the music is memorable, and the sprite work is some of the best ever seen in a video game. Now you can find seven of these excellent games collected into one amazing package – Metal Slug Anthology. It was a launch title on the Wii, so by the now its price has lowered considerably.

The game boasts arcade-perfect ports of Metal Slug 1, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5, and Metal Slug 6. While each game may be very similar gameplay-wise, they do have fun and memorable differences. I fondly remember gunning my way through the first level of MS1 in the titular Metal Slug tank, riding a Machine Gun Camel in both MS2 and MSX, and burping up some strange fiery substance as a zombie in MS3, as well as others. Sound weird? Yeah, it kind of is. But that’s Metal Slug for you. The fun gameplay puts a humorous spin on a rather serious Hitler-esque plot.

Building on the “run-and-gun” genre of gaming introduced by Contra, Metal Slug allowed players to use melee attacks on enemies close by, throw grenades, save hostages, and ride in a variety of vehicles ranging from semi-realistic (planes, submarines), to crazy fake (flying tanks, elephants with machine guns). The result is an extremely fun formula that boasts plenty of crazy, non-stop action. It’s also considerably difficult, but an infinite continue option in every game will make sure that you get to experience each masterfully-designed level.

Co-op has always been a big part of the Metal Slug series, a fact that shines through in this game. A second player can easily hop in at any time, and leave once they’ve run out of lives if they so choose. While co-op does make the game easier, it’s still no walk in the park. However, the games are much more fun with a friend, so I’d recommend that you have an extra controller handy when buying this.

Being on the Wii, controls are probably one of the main hooks (or concerns) for those interested in buying the game. Luckily, the game supports a large variety of control schemes, from the good (sideways wiimote, Gamecube controller and wiimote with nunchuck), to the terrible (hold the wiimote like an arcade joystick, tilt controls). Despite some obvious stinkers, I’d say the good outweigh the bad in this case.

Since the game is a contemplation, it’s pretty much required by law to have extra content. Metal Slug Anthology delivers a satisfactory amount of unlockable concept art and music, as well as an interview with the production crew. There’s nothing above and beyond here, but seeing as the actual games themselves are so good, it’s not too much of a disappointment. I found myself replaying the games not for the unlockables, but for the sheer fun factor. I suppose you could think of that two different ways – the unlockables suck, or the games are just abnormally fun. I’m siding with the second choice.

In the end, I have to say that this was the best Wii launch game, second only to Twilight Princess. It certainly remains to this day one of the better multiplayer games on the Wii. If you’re considering a download of the original Metal Slug from the Virtual Console, keep in mind that that is nine dollars for one game, but the Anthology is about $30 for seven games. Obviously, I’d try to find the Anthology since it’s such a great value, but if you really want to, buying only Metal Slug 1 for nine dollars really isn’t that bad of a deal either. Keep in mind, they sold only Metal Slug 3 on the Xbox for $40 back in the day, so nine dollars is nothing to make you feel ripped off.

I give Metal Slug Anthology a 9 out of 10, or as it’s done at DK News and Reviews, one big smiley faced Mii.

]]>https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/31/metal-slug-anthology-review/feed/3josh60502This Week’s VC/Wiiware updatehttps://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/this-weeks-vcwiiware-update-2/
https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/this-weeks-vcwiiware-update-2/#respondMon, 26 May 2008 16:15:23 +0000http://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/?p=358]]>You may recall a year ago when Danny and I disappeared to goto the global finals for Destination Imagination, where that’s where we were a this past weekend, and on a side note, this means DK NEWS AND REVIEWS IS OFFICIALLY ONE YEAR OLD!

This week’s Wii-kly Update pretty much covers the full spectrum. Maybe you’ll want to blast away with an arsenal of old-school weapons. But then again, three-day weekends are a good time to relax. So maybe you’ll take a wild road trip or settle in for some table tennis. And if you overdo it, we have a physician standing by.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

WiiWare™

Dr. Mario® Online Rx (Nintendo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): The doctor is in! Mario™ takes a break from his adventuring ways and once again dons his stethoscope for a new generation of germ-battling mayhem. In addition to the classic mode of using vitamins to exterminate viruses, you’ll find two battle modes and an online multiplayer mode where you can hone your skills against players from around the world. Feel like challenging a friend who doesn’t have Dr. Mario Online Rx? Then the WiiWare-exclusive Friend Battle Demo is just what the doctor ordered. Or maybe you’d like some help taking on those nasty viruses? Try out Virus Buster, where four players can simultaneously move capsules simply by pointing at them with a Wii Remote™ controller. Any way you look at it, Dr. Mario Online Rx is a prescription for fun that everyone can enjoy.

Family Table Tennis (Aksys Games, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): It’s time for some good old family fun, and what’s more fun than table tennis? Just like a real family, choose your character from a cast of four, which includes Daddy, Mommy, Sarah and Billy. There are four table tennis-tastic stages where it doesn’t matter if you’re an indoors or outdoors table-tennis player. Pick your poison from a gymnasium, a forest park, a beach or even an amusement park. Choose from Single or Versus mode, or select a minigame to play. In Versus mode, you and a friend can play against each other to see who is the better table-tennis player. And if Single and Versus modes aren’t enough, select between three minigames, which include Target Table Tennis, Thrilling Table Tennis and Matching Table Tennis. The appealing cell-shaded graphics and endearing music, on top of the super-fun game play, will have you and your family playing from morning till night. Get your paddles ready.

Virtual Console™

City Connection™ (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, Tobacco Reference, 500 Wii Points): Based on the arcade hit, a young man born in California sets out to tour famous sites and cities around the world. As he drives the highways surrounding these locations, the road is painted white as proof of his visit. Only once all sections of the road have been painted will he move on to the next location in his world tour. Not surprisingly, the local police will chase the driver and do their best to stop him from completing his goal. In addition, cats roam the highways and spikes lie in wait for unsuspecting drivers. To combat these dangers, the driver’s customized car can jump, fire cans of oil and collect balloons to warp to a new stage. It’s the ultimate road trip.

Metal Slug (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen – Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1996 by SNK, Metal Slug is a side-scrolling military-action game. Players control Marco and Tarma, both members of the special-ops force Team Peregrine Falcon (commonly known as Team PF), and battle their way through stage after stage of intense action. The goal is to try to overthrow General Morden and win back the stolen weapon, the Metal Slug. Players must blast through waves of enemies and machines (while also jumping over any obstacles in the way) to advance through the stages. It’s not as hopeless as it might sound, though—weapons such as heavy machine guns, shotguns, rocket launchers and flamethrowers, as well as the Metal Slug itself (which appears frequently in the game), will make the battle easier. Take on General Morden with a friend to lighten your load and ramp up the excitement even more.

REDMOND, Wash., May 19, 2008 – The path to fitness begins with a single step.

Nintendo’s new Wii Fit™, launching today, combines fun and fitness in ways that will have people getting up off their couches, moving around, having fun and maybe even breaking a sweat. Wii Fit gets everyone pumped up about making enjoyable physical activities a part of their daily routines. Wii Fit even tracks users’ progress, which lets people see how they have improved while challenging them to better their scores and stay motivated to keep going.

At an MSRP of $89.99, Wii Fit comes packaged with the Wii Balance Board™ accessory, a precisely engineered platform that senses both weight and shifts in movement and balance. The Wii Balance Board connects wirelessly to the Wii™ console and serves as the centerpiece for more than 40 fun activities that challenge users in areas like yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance. Helpful virtual trainers in the game talk users through the different activities and make suggestions for improvement.

“Wii Fit will get you moving whether you’ve been playing video games for years or this is your first time,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Wii Fit is easy for anyone to try and is yet another example of how Nintendo continues to expand the world of video games to new audiences.”

To celebrate the launch of Wii Fit, Nintendo is holding an interactive release party today for the public in the southwest corner of New York’s Central Park, near the Merchants’ Gate. “We’re looking for everyone to ‘get on board’ and get excited about their fitness,” said celebrity trainer Ashley Borden, who will be on hand to do personal Wii Fit demos and training.

Wii Fit, which has sold more than 2 million in Japan, starts with a simple measurement that calculates an adult user’s Body Mass Index, or BMI. From there, the Wii Balance Board accessory can be used as a platform for twirling a virtual Hula Hoop®, shredding on a virtual snowboard, performing leg extensions or doing a downward-facing dog yoga pose. Wii Fit contains a wide variety of fun games and physical activities that target the body’s core.

Different people in the same household can use Wii Fit and track their progress separately. Users’ Mii™ caricatures even reflect their fitness levels and change as people become more proficient at the activities.

Wii is the first video game system ever included in the President’s Challenge, a program of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports that encourages all Americans to make physical activity a part of their daily lives. Wii Fit builds on that honor by encouraging people to keep their bodies moving.

Wii Fit is available today exclusively at the Nintendo World store in New York, and will be at retail stores across the country May 21.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

]]>https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/wii-fit-has-launched/feed/0starfleetcommanderThis Week’s VC/WiiWare Updatehttps://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/this-weeks-vcwiiware-update/
https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/this-weeks-vcwiiware-update/#respondMon, 19 May 2008 18:45:23 +0000http://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/?p=356]]>Due to time constraints I’m posting the official release from Nintendo…

Today begins a new phase for the Wii-kly Update. From now on, we’ll have all the information about the arrival of both WiiWare™ and Virtual Console™ games. So basically you’re getting access to the best games of the past and the coolest creations of the present. With this week’s releases you can blast space-based enemies with your starfighter, fly the not-always-friendly skies or even corral some cute critters in the barnyard.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

WiiWare

Critter Round-Up (Konami, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 1,000 Wii Points): The critters have escaped, and the barnyard is in chaos! It’s up to you to quickly corral the animals in this puzzle-action challenge. You’ll have to mend fences in a hurry to keep all the critters safe and satisfied. But the fun doesn’t stop with the farmland; more than 50 challenging levels take you to several exotic locations, including the outback, the icy Arctic and more. There’s even a series of minigames for when the critters get you down: Snowball Soccer, Predator Rampage, Chicken Catch and Fence Trap. Up to four players can compete or cooperate as the critters run wild. So roll up those sleeves and grab a friend-those critters won’t catch themselves.

Star Soldier R (Hudson Entertainment, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Star Soldier R is a new kind of shooter where players aim for the best scores within a two- or five-minute time limit. Develop various scoring strategies, and pump out those points within the breakneck time frame. Assembled in record time to counter the advance of a powerful enemy, the mysterious Brain Forces, the “Caesar” starfighter takes off to fight for the very future of mankind. Shoot down countless enemies, upgrade your ship to the max with power-ups hidden throughout the levels and wage an all-out assault against the core of the enemy fortress. Combining the excitement of shoot-’em-ups with in-depth scoring strategies, this state-of-the-art competitive shooter will keep you coming back for more. Upload your best scores with Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, and pit your skills against the world’s best fighter pilots from the comfort of your living room. Hone your skills and show the world who’s boss.

Virtual Console

SKYKID™ (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Red Baron, from the freedom- and peace-loving nation of birds, Bird Land, faces off in the skies with his rival Blue Max in this side-scrolling shooting game. Defeat the many enemies that await you as you complete your mission, using moves like the loop-the-loop to shoot down enemies from behind. Fly low to pick up bombs placed in the stage and drop them on command posts, warships or other designated targets to destroy them. Then land safely at base to proceed to the next mission. Beware of enemy fire, though-it will cause you to crash, unless you’re able to recover by rapidly pressing the buttons. You can even play with a second person and fly simultaneously, sometimes helping each other and other times competing against each other. Prepare yourself and take to the skies, but make sure that the catchy background music (which became an instant classic when this game was originally released) doesn’t distract you from your goal.

]]>https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/this-weeks-vcwiiware-update/feed/0starfleetcommanderGuitar Hero IV goes the Rock Band Route…https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/guitar-hero-iv-goes-the-rock-band-route/
https://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/guitar-hero-iv-goes-the-rock-band-route/#respondTue, 13 May 2008 01:17:25 +0000http://dknewsandreviews.wordpress.com/?p=355]]>This coming from the latest issue of game informer, not all is confirmed for the Wii version…

– Create a song (no vocals)
– Name your song, make album art, and upload to GH Tunes
– 5 song limit at first, but may change if your tracks are rated highly
– This mode will be in the Wii version, but will most likely lack full features of PS3/360 versions
– Drums, bass, vocals guitar
– Create a rocker
– Create a guitar and drums
– All songs will be master tracks
– 4 band confirmed – Van Halen, The Eagles, Linkin Park and Sublime